Why the census matters
Low participation in the 2020 Census could have substantial negative consequences for our state. As a result of the 2010 Census, Missouri lost a congressional seat and hundreds of millions of dollars in federal funding.
Missouri received approximately $16.5 billion in federal funds in FY2016, which were directly calculated from census data. In fact, for every adult and every child that is not counted, Missouri loses an estimated $1,300 in federal dollars.
Achieving a complete count will already be a challenge for many areas across Missouri, with 9 percent of the population living in hard-to-count communities during the 2010 census. Households most at risk of being undercounted include those who are low-income, renters, people of color, young children, and immigrants. The new online platform also presents hardships for the roughly 20 percent of Missouri households that lack access to broadband and may face issues with submitting an online census form.
Ensuring a Complete & Accurate Count
It’s on all of us to make sure our friends, family, and neighbors are all counted. We are working with our partners across sectors and across Missouri to coordinate efforts to make sure every adult and every child is counted.
